The late Christopher L. Everett, an Estelle Unit officer killed while serving with the Army National Guard in Iraq last year, was one of six employees recently recognized by the Correctional Institutional Division of TDCJ for their outstanding performance during fiscal year 2005.

Everett was honored as CID’s Outstanding Maximum Security Correctional Officer. He joined TDCJ in March 2001, and at the time of his military activation, was assigned to the unit Field Force at Estelle. Everett was raised in Huntsville and joined the military during his senior year in high school. He died at age 23 on September 7, 2005 while serving his country as a staff sergeant with the 112th Army National Guard Battalion in Iraq.

Outstanding Correctional Officer: Homer Bell, COV, Boyd Unit, Teague

Bell has worked at Boyd since its opening in August 1992. He joined the agency in December 1989 at the Hughes Unit in Gatesville and later worked in at the Hobby Unit in Marlin before moving to Boyd. In March 2001, Bell was recognized for his efforts in saving the life of an offender during an emergency situation in the unit dining facility.

Lee has worked as the warden’s secretary at Wallace for more than 11 years. She is involved in many different organizations was in April 2005 was selected as the Volunteer of the Year for Texas Special Olympics. She has also helped raise money for the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation by riding her bicycle more than 30 miles from the Wallace Unit to the Daniel Unit in Snyder.

Armstrong has more than 21 years with TDCJ. He has been assigned to Hughes for six years and at times has acted as both the building major and as the major in charge of administrative segregation and high security. His nomination read in part: “He takes a proactive approach to his supervision of the building and ensures that the facility is safe and secure.”

McCully has worked at Jester IV since October 1993. Through the years, her personal and professional integrity has earned her various awards from inside and outside the agency. She has spearheaded a number of fundraising events on the unit, and last fall assisted in coordinating an event to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Katrina. She has also help coordinated specialized training in Region III.

Castro started her TDCJ career in June 1991 at the Ellis Unit in Huntsville. She worked at the Michael Unit in Gatesville before moving to McConnell in September 1993. His supervisors say that since her assignment to administrative segregation, Castro has improved the overall operation of the high-security section. Her nomination re
ads in part: “she has demonstrated the ability to supervise both offenders and staff in a fair and consistent manner, and manages those under her direction with a high level of expertise.”